Campion dominate all-island high schools' tennis

Fielding an excellent all-round team, Campion College dominated the annual Hi-Lyte National All-Island High School Tennis Championships which took place recently at the Eric Bell Tennis Centre in Kingston.

Coached by Rayne Russell of the Russell Tennis Academy, who was voted the most outstanding coach, Campion won four of the six age group divisions. A total of 13 schools, fielding 35 teams, participated in the competition.

They won the girls' 14 and under and 19 and under, the boys' 14 and under and 16 and under, while Wolmer's won the boys' 19 and under for the fourth consecutive year and Hillel won the girls' 16 and under.

Although Campion ended up as the dominant team, competition was keen throughout the five-day tournament, and one of he highlights was the battle between Campion and many-times 19 and under girls' champions, Immaculate Conception High School. Competition was as keen as expected in the early stages, but Campion, with highly rated players such as Jenna Harrison and Selena Blythe in their line-up, pulled away to win 4-2.

Wolmer's Boys, led by the talented Damani Cain, overwhelmed Campion 4-0 to continue their domination in the 19 and under age group. They were unbeaten throughout the tournament.

Immaculate also secured the runner-up spot in the girls' 14, while Campion secured the runner-up position in the girls' 16. St George's placed second in the boys' 14 and Hillel in the boys' 16.

Ryan Cox of Campion and Mia Wong of Immaculate Conception were voted the Most Valuable players for their overall brilliance throughout the tournament, which tournament director David Sanguinetti told The Gleaner was one of the best he had seen in many years. "This tournament," he said, "shows that Jamaica's young players are talented and promising, and that high school tennis is in a good place at this time."